Book Review: The Voice of the Violin

Reviewed By: Ellen Garbuny - RAM

The Voice of the Violin     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Andrea Camilleri
Class/Genre:   Mystery
Series: Inspector Montalbano # 4

This book is a very quick read. It was my first Camilleri mystery, and I am interersted in reading more of Inspector Montalbano's exploits. Inspector Montalbano seens to be a canktankerous, short- tempered investigator. The author hinted about his domestic situation, as his wife is living somewhere else in Italy, and they have brief, highly charged telephone conversations. A side story is the desire to adopt a teenage boy who seems to be settling in with the family of one of the Inspector's staff.

The gist of the story is who murdered a beautiful and enigmatic young married woman in her yet-unfinished new home. Was it her husband? Or the developmentally delayed young man who seemed obsessed with the victim? Was it someone else? Camilleri casts out several red herrings throughout the novel, keeping the pages turning.

I recommend this book on the merits of the descriptives. Camilleri paints word pictures of the Sicilian culture and environment. Montalbano's meals are described in mouth watering ways.

Ellen Garbuny - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Ellen Garbuny - RAM